Boskalis Completes Cowes Breakwater

Construction works on the new detached breakwater, which started back in May 2014, have been completed for the winter period, reported the Cowes Harbour Commission.

Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V., the contractor for the project, has completed the reshaping of the breakwater core in advance of a winter settlement period. A consolidation process, to take place over the winter, will allow for settlement of the gravel core along the breakwater footprint and increase strength of the subsoil.

Work, expected to begin again in late spring 2015, will involve the reshaping of the breakwater gravel core and the placement of rock armour. At least 40,000 tonnes of rock armor will be installed over the gravel core and this operation is estimated to take 12 weeks to complete.

The result in October 2015 will be a 350 meter long, detached rock armored breakwater in Cowes Harbour that protects existing homes, businesses and harbor users and that enables the regeneration project for East Cowes, and the jobs that will bring, to progress.